Standing As A Witness

Alma, a converted servant, and prophet of the Lord in Mosiah chapter 18 is preaching to those who will hear his inspired message. On specifically teaching the covenant of baptism he explains that when we are baptized we agree to, 

8. "bear one another's burdens that they may be light.

He goes on to say in the following verse,

9. Yea and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things and in all places that ye may be in even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God that ye may be numbered with those of the first resurrection that may have eternal life."

These scriptures contain a powerful covenant (a promise between us and God). In my Religion class this week we talked about what it means to be a witness. A witness tells others what they know. My teacher expressed that God has always been on trial. There are those that reject Him. People all over the world accuse Him of His existence. It is our duty as Christians to defend our Father and His beloved Son Jesus Christ. I read these verses in new light as my teacher had us imagine the Father pleading unto us and asking us to stand as His witness. I had a greater desire to defend my Father who has given me everything. Every joy I have felt in this life is because of Him, and every trial I experience is a manifestation of His love and trust in me. I want to do more to stand as His witness not when it is convenient, not when I experience a great miracle, but always. I have a long way to go to achieve this but there is hope in the journey.

There will be times in our lives where we feel we are failing at keeping our end of this covenant. To be a witness at All times and in All places requires great effort. Yet Elder Holland lovingly stated, "we get credit for trying, even if we don't always succeed."

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland also said,  "may we stand by Jesus Christ at all times and in all things that we may be in even until death, for surely that is how He stood by us when it was unto death and when He had to stand entirely and utterly alone." 

 (link to the talk)  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/none-were-with-him?lang=eng 

 I am so grateful for a Savior who stands with us at all times, who is our Witness, our Brother, our Redeemer, and our Friend. He will plead our case and defend those who earnestly follow Him. I love my Savior. I am grateful for the opportunity to witness of Him.